Kōdai Umetsu

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Kōdai Umetsu
梅津晃大
Chunichi Dragons – No. 18
Pitcher
Born: (1996-10-24) October 24, 1996 (age 27)
Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
NPB debut
12 August 2019, for the Chunichi Dragons
NPB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record6-4
Innings pitched78
Earned run average3.12
Strikeouts77
Teams

Kōdai Umetsu (梅津晃大, Umetsu Kōdai, born October 24, 1996) is a professional Japanese baseball player. He plays pitcher for the Chunichi Dragons.

Early career[edit]

Born in Fukushima, Umetsu started playing baseball in Grade 2 with local club team Minami Koizumi Mets.[1] Later, he would play in international tournaments in Grade 9 and 10 at Sendai Ikuei Shūkō Junior High School.[2]

Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School[edit]

At Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School, Umetsu was on the bench in his junior year at the 85th Japanese High School Baseball Invitational Tournament. In Summer, he didn't even make the bench but from fall was given the ace number #1.[3] In June of his third year, Umetsu fractured his wrist after being hit by a pitch which sidelined him. In summer, he made an appearance in the Fukushima prefectural tournament which would be his last where his team would miss the top 8 for the first time in 12 years.[4]

Toyo University[edit]

Upon graduating high school Umetsu was reported as saying that "I want to play for a school that has brought together an amazing manager and players" which led to him signing on with Toyo University who were then in the 2nd division of the Tohto University Baseball League.[5] In 2015, Umetsu was part of the active squad in his freshman year and made his starting debut against Tokyo Agricultural University in the 2nd game of the fall season.[6] He had some starts following that but was unable to register a win or loss.

In the summer 2017 University Baseball summer league, in the game between Toyo University and Hosei University, Umetsu started and recorded his fastest pitch at 153 km/h.[7] In Fall 2017 against Nihon University his first pitch was recorded at 151 km/h gathering the attention of pro scouts.[8] However during the same fall season, Umetsu pulled a muscle in his throwing arm and was unable to contribute further. On 18 October 2018, in the third game of a Tohto league game against Kokugakuin University, Umetsu was threw 4 innings out of the bullpen for 3 strikeouts to record his first win.[9]

2018 NPB Draft[edit]

In the lead-up to the 2018 NPB Draft, Umetsu was one of three pitchers from Toyo University expected to go in the top rounds alongside Taiga Kamichatani and Hiroshi Kaino.[10] On 25 October 2018, Umetsu was selected as the 2nd draft pick for the Chunichi Dragons at the 2018 NPB Draft and on 9 November signed a provisional contract with a ¥80,000,000 sign-on bonus and a ¥12,000,000 yearly salary.[11]

Professional career[edit]

Chunichi Dragons[edit]

2019[edit]

Umetsu began the year injured[12] but made a winning debut against the Hanshin Tigers on August 12, throwing 6 innings and 4 strikeouts.[13]

On 3 September, Umetsu won his third consecutive game since debut against the Yomiuri Giants marking the best winning record for a rookie, Dragons pitcher since Shinichi Kondō went 3-0 to start his career in 1987.[14]

Umetsu finished his rookie season with a 4-1 record and a 2.34 ERA and on 12 November signed an improved contract at ¥15,000,000 per annum.[15]

Pitching style[edit]

Umetsu's fastball tops out at 153 km/h.[3] His normal pitch mix includes a slider and forkball in addition to his four-seam fastball.[3]

Personal[edit]

Umetsu cites reaching the heights of Shohei Ohtani as his career goal.[16]

At high school, Umetsu was known for his large appetite having held the record for most bowls or ramen eaten at Shodai Yokarōmon's (初代よかろうもん) Sendai Station store.[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "「ドラフト指名」福島県勢は３投手 東日本国際大から初のプロ" [[Draft Pick] Fukushima with 3 pitchers. First pros since the East Japan International Tournament.]. Fukushima Minyū Shimbun (in Japanese). 2018-10-26. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  2. ^ "仙台育英、圧勝！梅津、骨折から１カ月で復活１３８キロ！／宮城" [Sendai Ikuei, crushing victory! 1 month after fracture recover, Umetsu throws 138 km/h / Miyagi]. Sanspo (in Japanese). 2014-07-10. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  3. ^ a b c "梅津晃大". Baseball Online (in Japanese). 2018-11-10. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  4. ^ "仙台育英３連覇ならず…梅津、茫然自失「信じられません」／宮城" [Sendai Ikuei fail to go 3 in a row. Umetsu stunned "I can't believe it".]. Sanspo (in Japanese). 2014-07-16. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  5. ^ "公式戦０勝のドラフト１位候補。メジャースカウトも絶賛のポテンシャル" [Official game 0 wins; 1st pick shortlist. Major League scouts highly rate potential]. Shūeisha Sportiva (in Japanese). 2018-10-04. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  6. ^ "4月26日春季 2部リーグ戦 東農大対東洋大 2回戦". Tohto University Baseball League. 2015-04-26. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  7. ^ "[硬式野球]熱意乗った 梅津、１５３キロ投球に笑み" [Baseball Channeling the fire, Umetsu gives a smile after throwing 153 km/h]. Sports Tōyō (in Japanese). 2017-08-11. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  8. ^ "東洋大・梅津、大学０勝も大谷ボディーでドラ１候補" [Toyo University's Umetsu, 0 wins with an Otani body type; 1st pick shortlist]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2018-10-12. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  9. ^ "10月18日 秋季 1部リーグ戦 東洋大対國學院大 3回戦" [October 18th Fall League; First Division game; Toyo Uni v Kokugakuin Uni; 3rd game]. Tohto University Baseball League (in Japanese). 2018-10-18. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  10. ^ "甲斐野、上茶谷、梅津、中川の東洋大4人衆の年俸上昇率が凄い。4人合わせて8700万アップ！" [Big 4 Toyo graduates Kaino, Kamichatani, Umetsu receive big raise! Combined ￥87,000,000 salary increase.]. Kokoyakyuu.com (in Japanese). 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  11. ^ "中日２位梅津晃大「入院代に」契約金は病床の母へ - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  12. ^ "中日ドラ２梅津、右肩インピンジメント症候群と診断 - プロ野球 : 日刊スポーツ" [Chunichi's #2 pick Umetsu diagnosed with right shoulder impingement syndrome.]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2019-02-10. Retrieved 2019-09-03.
  13. ^ "梅津やった！初登板初先発初勝利 勝利球は「自分で取っておく」" [Umetsu did it! Win on debut! Says he will keep winning ball.]. Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). 2019-08-13. Retrieved 2019-09-03.
  14. ^ "中日・梅津、デビューから無傷３戦３勝！球団３２年ぶり快挙に「素直にうれしい」" [Chunichi's Umetsu with untarnished 3-0 record since debut! First for club in 32 years "I'm honestly happy"]. Sankei Sports (in Japanese). 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
  15. ^ "「閉幕１軍」目標かなった！ 梅津、快投で４勝目" ["Opening day 1st team" I had no goal! Umetsu cruises to 4 wins.]. Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). 2020-01-07. Archived from the original on 2020-01-07. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  16. ^ "中日２位の東洋大・梅津「大谷翔平選手が目標」／ドラフト" (in Japanese). 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  17. ^ "仙台の大食い自慢！その名は「梅津晃大」 強じんな胃袋も大物の証" [Sendai's own big eater! That name is Kodai Umetsu!]. Chunichi Sports (in Japanese). 2019-09-03. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
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